Rangers handed Europa League boost as Real Betis injury update emerges
Rangers have endured a difficult start to the new season, with the pressure mounting on manager Michael Beale.
The man in the dugout really could do with a boost ahead of his club’s next game, which is a massive test against Real Betis.
The Spanish outfit travel to Ibrox for the Europa League group stage meeting between the two sides on Thursday (21 September).
And fortunately for the home boss, he has indeed received that boost, with Real Betis set to be without a key player for the encounter.
As per the official Real Betis website (19 September), goalkeeper Rui Silva has not been included in the squad list for the meeting with Rangers.
That is because he picked up a “minor injury to the adductor of his left leg” [official Real Betis website, 18 September] in their recent match against Barcelona.
The 29-year-old is the club’s clear number one under manager Manuel Pellegrini, having played every minute of their La Liga campaign this season before being substituted against Barcelona due to the injury.
The issue has forced Pellegrini into naming the likes of Fran Vieites and Bravo as his goalkeepers in the 21-man squad. The former has played just 45 minutes in La Liga this season, with the latter yet to make an appearance.
Rangers have their own injury problems, with both Todd Cantwell and Danilo missing for the home side, but they at least go into the game with some confidence that their opponents may not be quite so assured at the back.
In other Rangers news, a journalist has mooted a “real blow” for the club after an injury to one player who “dares to be different.”